How to Assemble a Clarinet Step by Step

Clarinet assembly is the first step to becoming a skilled clarinet musician. After all, if you can't assemble your clarinet, you're not going to have an instrument to play. Learning the proper assembly will allow you to experience the joy of owning and playing a musical instrument.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Begin the clarinet assembly by holding the bell firmly with your right hand and the lower barrel of the clarinet with your left. Gently twist the bell into the lower joint. The bell does not need to face any particular direction, simply secure it until both sections are seated snugly together.
2. Pick up the top joint and locate the bridge key. This is the small metal key that connects the keys on the top barrel to the keys on the lower joint. This bridge key is fragile and easily bent, so handle it gingerly.
3. Grasp the upper joint with your hand, placing your fingers over the holes and pressing firmly. This raises the bridge key out of the way and will allow the two joints to safely be connected.
4. Twist the two joints together with the bridge key raised. Line up the finger holes so they're in a straight line. This will place the bridge key against it's mate on the lower joint for a clean fit.
5. Attach the barrel to the top joint in the same fashion. The barrel does not need to face any particular direction.
6. Remove the metal or plastic ligature from the mouthpiece by loosening the screws. Attach the mouthpiece to the rest of the clarinet so that the flat portion is lined up with the thumb support. Add the reed, replace the ligature and tighten it snugly.

Tips & Warnings

• Hold the reed gently in your mouth while you're assembling your clarinet as the reed needs to be moist in order to be effective.
• Use the cork wax to moisten and maintain the cork on each section of your clarinet. If you don't keep your cork in good condition, you won't be able to assemble the clarinet. The cork could instead crack and break away from the instrument.